Comparative data file



J. MJONES EF'AL 2 29mm COMPARATIVE DATA FILE Filed Dec. ,26, 1940 Patented Sept. 15, 1942 COMBARATIVE DATA FILE Jesse M. JonesJNorth Hollywood, and Cedric F. Gove, Los Angeles, Calif., assignors to Charles R. Hadley Company, Los Angeles, Calif., a corporation of California Application December 26, 1940, Serial No. 371,614

9 Claims.

This invention relates to files, and particu larly to files of sheets containing entries extending over different periods of time, that are to be compared. Theinvention is particularly applicable in the construction of files for entries relating to the conduct of abusiness or any line of procedure resulting in data to be entered on sheets.

One of the objects of the invention is to provide means for constructing a file of sheets in such a way that the sheets can be normally held in juxtaposed relation but which, when desired, can be shifted into an echelon arrangement, thereby enabling related entries on the different sheets to be arranged alongside of each other for simultaneous inspection andcomparison.

A further object of the invention is to provide a file having a construction which will enable the sheets/in the files to be shifted into echelon arrangement in either direction. This is a valuable" feature of our improvement, as it enables a comparison of month by month figures to be brought together for simultaneous inspection, and also enables comparisons to be maderfor data accu-. mulating over extended periods of time; for example, figures indicating accumulations for the year up to date, or for data corresponding to yearly totals.

- In accordance with modern bookkeeping methods, it is common practice to employ loose-leaf systems in which the sheets are punctured along an edge to facilitate their being attached in different binders or files. An object of the present invention is to,provide simple means to cooperate with such punctured sheets, which will enable them to be filed together in such a way that they can assume a more or less exactly juxtaposed relation, and in addition to that, to be capable of shifting into an echelon position in either direction to exposecorresponding entries of the different sheets alongside of each other for easy inspection eitherat one edge or an opposite edge of the sheets.

A further object of' the invention is to provide simple guiding means for connecting the sheets togethen'which can be readily: applied through the regular perforations that are commonly used on data sheets.

Y Further objects of the hereinafter.

The invention consists in the novel parts and combination bf parts to be described hereinafter, all of which contribute to produce an efficient comparative data file.

invention will appear A preferred embodiment of the invention is described in the following specification, while the scope of the invention is pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawing:

Fig. 1 is a plan illustrating a folder carrying a file of twelve sheets corresponding to the different months of the year, the said sheets being shifted to the right in echelon arrangement so as to expose the month columns alongside of each other at the left side of the sheets.

Fig. 2 is a view similar to Fig. 1, but illustrating the sheets in echelon arrangement, shifted toward the left so as to expose the right-hand columns on the sheets alongside of each other.=

Fig. 3 is a View similar to Fig. 1, but representing a file prepared for only three months of the year. This view illustrates how the sheets for succeeding months can be applied to build up the complete filefor all the months, or longer periods, as illustrated in Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is an edge plan view and partial section of the file shown in Fig. 1, but of a diagrammatic nature, with the thicknesses of the sheets and guide bars exaggerated so as to illustrate the manner in which the guide means for the sheets is applied to them in practicing the invention. In this view the sheets are indicated in their normal juxtaposed relation.

Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 4, but illustrating the sheets displaced toward the right in echelon to correspond with their relation as illustrated in Fig. 3.

Figs. 6, 7 and 8 are fragmentary sections taken through an edge of a sheet, and illustrating different means that may be employed for securing the guide bars or splints that we prefer to employ, for enabling the sheets to be shifted laterally with respect to each other.

Fig. 9 is a plan View of one end of one of the guide bars or splints, and illustrating another means that may be employed for securing the end of this guide bar to one of the sheets.

Fig. 10 is also a fragmentary view showing a portion of the upper edge of the sheet, and also illustrating another form of the means that we may employ for securing the end of the guide bar to a perforation in the sheet.

In practicing the invention, we employ a row of perforations extending along an edge of the sheet. If necessary, we provide the sheets with these perforations, but in some instances the sheets will already have such perforations by reason of their having been used in loose-leaf binders. In practicing the invention we cannect the sheets by means inserted through these perforations, and this means as regards adja cent sheets, passes through perforations that are out of line with each other, This enables the sheets to be shifted into an echelon arrangement in either direction from their juxtaposed position in which the perforations of all the sheets would be in axial alignment with each other.

Referring particularly to Figs. 3, 4 and 5, l indicates a folder or file cover carrying a file of sheets embodying our invention, and in this view only three sheets 2, 3 and 4 are illustrated to show how the file may be built up from month to month. These sheets carry entries] for the months of January, February and March, for example, and are preferably formed with vertical columns at the left carrying headings or legends for the different months, and having. horizontal lines on which the entries are made opposite items on the body of the card. Although sheets such as the sheets 2, 3 and 4 may be simply attached together in accordance with our invention, and held in a folder towhich they are not attached, we prefer to attach the sheets to a projecting tongue such as the tongue 5 extending down from the upper edge of the folder. This'would be the arrangement where the sheets were to be attached to each other, at their upper edge, although of course, if desired, the sheets may be attached together at their bottom edge, in which case they would be attached'to a bottom flap or tongue 6 similar to the tongue 5, but projecting upwardly from the lower edge of the folder.

In accordance with our invention, as applied to the file illustrated, we provide guiding means for attaching the sheets together so that they are capable of assuming a more or less exactly juxtaposed position, and in addition are. capable of being shifted with respect to each other. In the present instance they may be'shifted laterally either to the right or'to the left into an echelon arrangement such as illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2. In accomplishing this, we prefer to utilizeas part of themeans employed, the usual perforations such as theround perforations 1' that are usually formed in data sheets adjacent their upper edge. In other words, the sheets that we employ are provided with a plurality of spaced perforations that'are placed in a row on each sheet, and these perforations'are, of course, located alike in all the sheets 50 that the sheets when juxtaposed with each other, will place all of these perforations on the different sheets in central alignment with each other. In order to practice the invention to enable a one column shift to be established in either direction, there should be at least four of the perforations 1, that is to'say, there is an extreme left perforation 1a, an extreme right perforation lb, and two intermediate perforations !c and Id.

In order to connect the sheets together, we prefer to employ a plurality of thin bars 8 of very thin slightly flexible material such as thin sheet metal cut into strips. In other words, these bars are in the form of thin splints, and their width is preferably slightly less than the diameter 'of the perforations I. These splints are preferably provided with means at one or both ends for 'securing'them to each relatively upper sheet such as the sheet 4; and in forming tne'file the'splint or guide bar 8. would be inserted through the righthand perforation lb of sheet'4 and thence down through an adjacent'perforation that is out of register with it,

that is to say, the second perforation from the right 1d, of the next adjacent relatively under sheet 3, and from this point the bar would be threaded through the perforation 1c of sheet 3, and then upwardly and through the perforation la of sheet 4 adjacent the left edge of the sheet. In other words, this link orbar connects the two outside perforations Ia and lb on the relatively upper sheet, and passes through the two perforations 1c and 1d of the lower sheet, that are disposed in intermediate positions. This arrangement enables the sheets to be shifted either toward the right or toward the left through substantially the distance separating the perforations To. and 10, or the perforations lb and 7d.

This distance is approximately equal to the width of a column. The manner in which these bars 8 are threaded through the perforations, is clearly illustrated in Figs. 4 and 5. The bottom sheet 2, of course, need not be shifted, and hence this sheet is connected to the flap or tongue 5 by means of perforations 9 in the flap adjacent to the end perforations 1a, and 1b of the sheet 2 through which bar 8 passes to attach this bottom sheet in position.

It will be evident that if it is not necessary to shift the sheets in both directions, it will only be necessary to connect the sheets together adjacent one of the vertical edges of the same. It is preferable, however, to construct the file for the double shift capacity described. In this connection it will be evident that at the end of the year the sheets can all be shifted to the right in echelon so as to expose to view all of the left columns. The right-hand colunm of the December sheet I0 has a column giving the totals for the year to date, and this same column is provided on all of the sheets. In this way by shifting the sheets at any time of the year, the comparative activity of the business being recorded, can be readily observed as well as the total business accomplished for the year.

If it is necessary to provide two or more re lated files, one of the files can be attached at its upper edge to the upper flap 5, and a similar file having its sheets perforated at the lower edge and attached to the perforations of the flap 6. With such an arrangement it is possible to shift one of the files of sheets toward the right, and the other toward the left, so that further comparisons of entries can be made.

Any suitable means may be provided for securing the splints or bars 8 to the sheets, and we have illustrated several modifications of means for this purpose in Figs. 6 to 10 inclusive. Although the invention can be practiced by securing the bar to its corresponding sheet at one end only, if the outside holes are very near to the edges of the sheets, the splints should be attached at both ends. In Fig. 6 we illustrate a construction in which the bar 8a, is formed with a return bend or flange II, which hooks over the edge of the sheet such as the sheet l2. If this tongue'or flange II is made to fit tight enough on the edge of the sheet, it may be unnecesasry to provide any additional means for preventing the bar from becoming dislodged. However, if it is desired to do this, this may be accomplished by striking down a small tongue or nib l3 from the bar near its end, which projects toward the end of the bar, and which will engage the edg I 4 of the right-hand perforation lb in the sheet.

In Fig. 7 we illustrate a somewhat similar arrangement in which the nib i4 is struck down from the tongue I instead of being struck up from the body of the bar. In Fig. 8 the arrangement is somewhat similar to that illustrated in Fig. 7, except that instead of punching the tongue clear out of the material at its end, we merely press the material of the tongue downwardly to form a rounded shoulder I6 that will project into the adjacent perforation in the sheet or card I1.

In Fig. 9 we employ a plain bar I8 without any bent end or tongue such as illustrated in Figs. 6 to 8. In this case we provide a small double tab IQ of material that is adhesive on one face. This double tab l9 may be secured to the end of the bar by integral spurs 20 struck out of the bar. This double tab I9 can be provided with an adhesive that will operate when moistened or, if desired, it could be an adhesive that operates with heat and pressure to secure itself to the sheet. I

In Fig. 10 we illustrate another modification for the end of the bar, in which the bar is slit longitudinally to form two outside tongues 2| and an inside tongue 22. These tongues are slightly ofiset out of the plane of the bar so as to enable the two outside tongues to be passed through the end perforation lb and project on one side of the sheet, while the intermediate tongue extends along over the edge of the perforation on the same side as the body of the bar.

Although in describing and claiming the manher in which the guide bars are threaded through the perforations, it is evident that the manner of threading can be reversed if desired; that is say, instead of having the body of a bar corresponding to a certain sheet disposed under the sheet, it could be disposed above the sheet and with its ends extending down through the two intermediate perforations and then through the outermost perforations of the under sheet. This would be a mere reversal and. the same effect would be attained if, after connecting all of the sheets together in the manner described and illustrated, the entire file of sheets were turned upside down, and the bottom sheet then secured to the flap of the folder. However, we prefer to apply the guide bars as shown, because it leaves the upper edge of the sheets clear for receiving printing or entries.

If very long sheets are employed in the file, we may employ a row of perforations on opposite edges of the sheets; in any case the rows extend in the direction in which the sheets are to be shifted. In this case the splints should be threaded in and out across the sheets, but so as to permit the shifting.

Ordinarily, the distance between adjacent perforations in the row is equal to the width of the zone to be exposed, and this is usually equal to the width of one column.

At least four perforatons must be employed in a row for enabling a single column shift in either direction to be effected. A two or more column shift is possible by increasing the number of perforations skipped in lacing the splints through them, For example, a three column shift could be attained by using the end perforation on onesheet and the fourth perforation of the next sheet.

v In constructing a, multiple file it will be evident that each shiftable group of sheets can be attached to a stout back sheet of leather or stiff board, and these back sheets all bound together in a ring file or binder.

What we claim is:

1. In a file for facilitating comparisons of entries of data extending through different time periods, the combination of a plurality of sheets having vertical columns for entries adjacent their left edges, and having vertical columns for entries adjacent their right edges, said sheets having perforations aligning in a horizontal row, links passing through, and capable of sliding through the perforations in either direction, connecting the sheets in succession and permitting relative lateral shifting of the sheets in either direction longitudinally of the links so as to enable the sheets to be held in echelon with the left edges of all the sheets exposed to view and also in an oppositely shifted relation so that the sheets are held in echelon'with the right columns of all the sheets exposed to view.

2. In a file for facilitating comparisons of entries of data extending through different time periods, the combination of a plurality of sheets having vertical columns for entries adjacent their left edges, and having vertical columns for entries adjacent their right edges, each of said sheets having a horizontal row of spaced perforations, said perforations located and spaced alike so as to register with each other when the sheets are juxtaposed with their columns in alignment, and guiding means in the perforations connecting the first perforation at the left of each relatively upper sheet with the second perforation from the left of the next adjacent under sheet, said guiding means cooperating with the sheets to enable the same to shift laterally in echelon toward the right so as to expose the left-hand column of each sheet.

3. In a file for facilitating comparisons of entries of data extending through different time periods, the combination of a plurality of sheets having vertical columns for entries adjacent their left edges, and having vertical columns for entries adjacent their right edges, each of said sheets having a horizontal row of spaced perforations, said perforations located and spaced alike so as to register with each other when the sheets are juxtaposed with their columns in alignment, and guiding means in the perforations connecting the first perforation at the right of each upper sheet with the second perforation from the right of the next adjacent under sheet, said guiding means cooperating with the sheets to enable the same to shift laterally in echelon toward the left so as to expose the right-hand column of each sheet.

4. In a file for facilitating comparisons of entries of data extending through different time periods, the combination of a plurality of sheets having vertical columns for entries adjacent their left edges, and having vertical columns for entries adjacent their right edges, each of said sheets having a horizontal row of spaced perforations, said perforations located and spaced alike so as to register with each other when the sheets are juxtaposed with their columns in alignment, and guiding means in the perforations connecting the first perforation at the left of each upper sheet with the second perforation from the left of the next adjacent under sheet, and also connecting the first perforation at the right of each upper sheet with the second perforation from the right of the next adjacent under sheet, said guiding means cooperating with the sheets to enable the same to shift laterally in echelon toward the right so as to expose the left-hand columns of the sheets and also enabling the sheets to shift laterally in echelon toward the left so as to expose the right-hand columns of the sheets.

5. In a file, the combination of a plurality of sheets having vertical columns for entries of data thereon, said sheets having aligning perforations adjacent a horizontal edge of the sheets registering together when the sheets are in juxtaposed relation, and fiat guide bars, each connected adjacent its ends to each relatively upper sheet and woven through two of said perforations of the next adjacent under sheet, the said lastnamed two perforations being disposed out of line horizontally with respect to the points of connection of the guide bars to the relatively upper sheet, thereby enabling the sheets to be shifted into an echelon arrangement in either direction.

6. In a file, the combination of a plurality of juxtaposed sheets, each of said sheets having a row of spaced perforations, said perforations registering together when the sheets are in juxtaposed relation, a flat guide bar corresponding to each sheet with means at an end for securing the same to each relatively upper sheet and woven through a pair of perforations of the adjacent under sheet, said last-named perforations being out of line with the points of connection of the guide bar to the relatively upper sheet so as to permit the sheets to be shifted in echelon arrangement in either direction.

'7. In a file, the combination of a plurality of juxtaposed sheets, each sheet having a row of spaced perforations adjacent an edge thereof, the perforations of the different sheets being in axial alignment with each other when the sheets are in their juxtaposed relation, a fiat guide bar corresponding to each sheet capable of being woven through the perforations, each of said guide bars having means at an end for securing the same to a relatively upper sheet at a perforation adjacent one edge, and woven through two perfora-v tions of the next adjacent under sheet and through a perforation of the relatively upper sheet adjacent its other edge, said two perforations being out of line with the said perforations that receive the guide bar in the relatively upper sheet, thereby enabling the sheets to be shifted into echelon arrangement in either direction.

8. In a file for facilitating comparisons of entries of data extending through different time periods, the combination of a plurality of sheets having vertical columns for entries adjacent their left edges, and having vertical columns for entries adjacent their right edges, each of said sheets having a horizontal row of spaced perforations, said perforations located and spaced alike so as to register with each other when the sheets are juxtaposed with their columns in alignment,

and individual guiding means corresponding to each sheet lying in the perforations, connecting the first perforation at the left of each relatively upper sheet with the second perforation from the/left of the next adjacent under sheet, said guiding means cooperating with the sheets to enable the same to shift laterally in echelon toward the right so as to expose the left-hand column of each sheet.

9. In a file for facilitating comparisons of data extending through different time periods, the combination of a plurality of sheets having lines for entries of data adjacent the edges of the sheets, said sheets having perforations respectively, registering and aligning with each other in a row when the sheets are juxtaposed upon each other, a link corresponding to each relatively upper sheet passing through a perforation of each upper sheet and through a perforation of the next lower adjacent sheet that is out of register. with the perforation of the upper sheet when the sheets are juxtaposed, said links connecting the sheets in succession, thereby enabling the sheets to be shifted longitudinally of the links into echelon arrangement with the edge portions of all the sheets exposed to view.

JESSE M. JONES. CEDRIC F. GOVE. 

